Police chief defends officers' actions in Worcester pursuit

Scott J. Croteau TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Published Thursday August 1, 2013 at 3:30 pm

Updated Thursday August 1, 2013 at 4:21 pm

PHOTO/ T&G Staff/STEVE LANAVA

Officers at the scene Wednesday.

WORCESTER — The police officers pursuing a man who eventually crashed his car into a Pleasant Street building Wednesday night adhered to the department's policy during the 29-second pursuit that lasted less than a mile, said Police Chief Gary J. Gemme.

The motorist fleeing from police after officers tried to pull him over in the area of Foster and Front streets hit a speed of a least 50 mph, according to court documents. The area is a 30 mph zone.

"A review of all relevant reports including listening to the dispatch tape of the incident supports the actions of the officers," the chief said today.

Witnesses told a reporter both the suspect's vehicle and a police cruiser appeared to be going very fast before the crash, which occurred about 5:15 p.m. Wednesday at 295 Pleasant St.

Preliminary reports show the police cruiser was at speeds between 35-45 mph, the chief said.

"In this particular case we know that the pursuit lasted 29 seconds and covered .6 miles before the violator crashed his vehicle," Chief Gemme said. "Public safety is paramount and when an individual is operating in an erratic and dangerous manner we have an obligation to take enforcement action."

Department policy governs all police pursuits. A supervising officer manages each pursuit. That officer, along with the officers involved, have the discretion to cease a pursuit if it is deemed a risk to public safety.

"The departmental policy authorizes a motor vehicle pursuit when the apprehension of the suspect outweighs the risk created by the pursuit," the chief said. "If the risk to the public is greater, a pursuit should not be initiated, or if in progress, it should be terminated."

The department is involved in a handful of motor vehicle pursuits each year. In 2012 there were six, according to the chief. So far in 2013 there have been six, the chief said. The tally includes the recent case.

The man involved in the chase was arraigned in Central District Court today. Court records show he was unlicensed and well-known to police. He was also wanted on a court warrant for possession of a stun gun, court records show.

Michael F. Rinaldo III, 21, of 17 Jones St., Apt. 1, Worcester, was charged with a slew of motor vehicle violations.. Court records show Mr. Rinaldo is also accused of driving under the influence of drugs.

Officers saw Mr. Rinaldo driving near Foster and Front streets around 5 p.m. Officers soon confirmed Mr. Rinaldo had a suspended license and signaled for him to pull over..

Initially Mr. Rinaldo pulled over, but he then drove off and passed through red lights, past people in crosswalks and crossed into other lanes, police said. He almost hit a pedestrian, prosecutor Roberta O'Brien said in court today.

Ms. O'Brien said when officers approached the vehicle after the crash at 295 Pleasant St., Mr. Rinaldo was unconscious behind the wheel. He wasn't wearing a seat belt. In court, his only obvious injury was a bandage on his right hand.

Officers believe Mr. Rinaldo was under the influence of drugs, records said. They said when he regained consciousness, his pupils were dilated.

"After he crashed I located an uncapped hypodermic syringe that appeared to be recently used on a blanket in the back seat," Officer Christopher Breeds wrote in documents filed in court.

Prescription pills were also in the car, the officer said.

Court records show Mr. Rinaldo was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday on a charge of possession of a stun gun, stemming from an incident on July 27 in Worcester. He did not appear and a default warrant was issued.

His lawyer, Alicia M. McKinley, said in court the stun gun was actually a lighter with a joke zapper on it. She said her client has admitted to being addicted to drugs.

In March, Mr. Rinaldo was arrested for trespassing and possession of brass knuckles after police responded to a break-in attempt at Worcester East Middle School on Grafton Street.

Court records show he also fled from police in April and was eventually found hiding in the girders under the Interstate 290 bridge in Shrewsbury.

Mr. Rinaldo was held on a total of $950 bail after entering pleas of not guilty in the stun gun case and recent motor vehicle case. Mr. Rinaldo will return to court Aug. 6.